Here are some theories why Montebello has more homeless living on the streets

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Victor Urquidi, left, Nastasha Yabra, center, and Mark Dominguez, right, talk with Zue Villarreal, from Whittier First Day, about being homeless at Montebello City Park on Monday June 25, 2018. The City of Montebello has put together a Homeless Plan that will assist the area homeless. (Photo by Keith Durflinger for SCNG)

But the count for those living on the streets found nearly three times as many people from a year ago.

There were 336 homeless people in Montebello counted one night in January, according to the authority, which released the numbers Friday. That compared to 351 counted in 2017 and 52 in 2016.

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However, about one-third, 115, live on the streets. That’s way up from 37 in 2017 and 18 in 2016. Meanwhile, the number of people living in cars, recreational vehicles and vans is decreasing: 186 in 2018 and 257 in 2017. In 2016, half the city’s then-much-smaller homeless population was living in vehicles.

People who live in vehicles are considered “unsheltered” but not living on the streets, according to the authority.

Locals had various theories for what is going on Montebello.

Irene Muro — executive director of Whittier Area First Day, which provides services to the homeless in Montebello — said it’s possible that law enforcement cleanups in the Rio Hondo Riverbed area are pushing people onto the streets.

“If you go by the railroad tracks and industrial areas, there seem to be more camping out,” Velasco said, adding his organization has noticed an uptick of people coming for showers and breakfast.

Dominic Lopez, chief executive officer and founder of Kekoa Veteran Foundation, said he believes increases in homelessness is related to lack of housing.

“The majority of the increase is from people who have jobs and cannot afford housing,” Lopez said.

The city’s homeless plan, which calls for a homeless shelter which offers an access center with showers and resources, an area for safe parking and new policies to generate affordable housing, will help, Muro said.

“I think the city’s plan is a great foundation where to start,” she said.

Mike Sprague started at the Whittier Daily News in April 1984. Since then, Sprague has covered every city in the Whittier Daily News circulation area, as well as political and water issues. Sprague received a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in political science, both from Cal State Fullerton.